how time flies

USAGE SUMMARY

'how time flies' is correct and usable in written English.
It is an idiom often used to express amazement at how fast time passes. For example, you could write, "I can't believe how time flies - it feels like only yesterday we were in kindergarten!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

How time flies.

The New York Times

How time flies in this show.

The New York Times

How time flies in supermarkets.

The Times

Do say: How time flies!

The Guardian - Business

"We know how time flies.

The New York Times

- Hey, how time flies, he said.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

It was strange how time flew by when you had nothing to remember it by.

The New York Times

In 1973, Shearer appeared as Jim Houseafire on How Time Flys, an album by The Firesign Theatre's David Ossman.

Wikipedia

My how times flies.

Huffington Post

The point is made not to be difficult about Reyes, but to acknowledge how swiftly time flies in sports, how quickly the window of opportunity can close.

The New York Times - Sports

Recently we were talking about a phenomenon she's been encountering in her business: Clients will call in about one of the dates she's set them up on from a pool of highly-curated and very exclusive clientele, telling her how easy the person was to talk to, how the time flew, how much they had in common and how often they laughed.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "how time flies" to express a sense of nostalgia or surprise when reflecting on past events or milestones. It's particularly effective when contrasting the present with a seemingly recent past.

Common error

Avoid using "how time flew" unless you're specifically referring to a past instance. "How time flies" is generally used as a present observation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how time flies" functions primarily as an exclamatory expression. According to Ludwig, this phrase is correct and widely used in written English to convey a feeling of surprise or amazement at the swift passage of time. It often serves as a reflective comment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Academia

5%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "how time flies" is a common and grammatically correct exclamatory phrase used to express surprise at the quick passage of time. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for a wide range of contexts, particularly in news and media, and reflects a neutral register. The phrase often conveys a sense of nostalgia or reflection on past events. Remember to use it in the present tense and consider related phrases like "time flies quickly" for slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

time flies quickly

This alternative directly states the speed of time's passage, emphasizing the rapid nature.

time passes rapidly

This variant emphasizes the speed at which time is passing or elapsing.

time goes by fast

This is a more informal way to express that time is passing quickly.

the years slip away

This alternative uses figurative language to suggest a gradual and almost unnoticed passage of time.

tempus fugit

This is a Latin phrase meaning "time flies". It is more formal and often used in literary contexts.

before you know it

This phrase indicates that a period of time passes quickly and unexpectedly.

the days race by

Similar to "time flies", this expresses the feeling that days are passing at a rapid pace.

the weeks disappear

This alternative suggests that weeks are passing unnoticed or vanishing quickly.

it only seems like yesterday

This phrase emphasizes how recent something feels, despite a significant amount of time having passed.

where does the time go?

This is a rhetorical question expressing wonder and perhaps regret at the swift passage of time.

FAQs

What does "how time flies" mean?

The expression "how time flies" is an idiom that expresses surprise or amazement at how quickly time has passed. It's often used when reflecting on events that feel recent but occurred long ago.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "how time flies"?

It's appropriate to use "how time flies" when you want to express that you're surprised by the speed at which time has passed, particularly when reminiscing about the past.

What are some alternative ways to say "how time flies"?

You can use alternatives like "time flies quickly", "time passes rapidly", or "time goes by fast" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "how time flies"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. It's a common idiom used to express the swift passage of time, functioning as an exclamatory phrase.